Ellora Caves
Information about Ellora Caves
• Location :
Ellora Caves are located in the Satmala–Ajanta mountain range, near Verul village, at a short distance from Sambhajinagar (Aurangabad) city in the state of Maharashtra.
• Travel routes to reach the caves :
• Pune and Sambhajinagar cities are connected internationally by air services.
• At the national level, these cities are well connected by roadways, railways, and air transport.
• From Sambhajinagar, one can travel via Devgiri valley – Daulatabad – Kagazipur – Khultabad, and then take the connecting road on Verul Road to reach the caves.
• From Dhule city – via Chalisgaon – Kannad route – Ellora Caves can be reached.
• From Nashik – via Sinnar – Kopargaon – Vaijapur – Lasur route – Ellora Caves can be visited.
• From Pune city – via Ahmednagar – Shani Shingnapur – Nevasa – Gangapur – Lasur route – Ellora Caves can be visited.
• Places to see at Ellora Caves :
• Verul village is located about 30 kilometers from the CIDCO Bus Stand in Sambhajinagar city. From there, a road route leads a short distance to the caves, through which visitors can easily reach the site.
• The mountain in this region was earlier known as the “Yelo Parvat.” The river flowing here was called “Yelganga.” The village settled on its banks was known as “Yelor.” Over time, this name evolved into “Verul,” and today this place is known as Ellora (Verul).
• These caves were carved using chisels and hammers. Thousands of artisans worked for many years with great dedication to create them.
• There are a total of 34 cave shrines at this site. Among them—
• Cave Nos. 1 to 12 are Buddhist caves.
• Cave Nos. 13 to 29 are Hindu caves.
• Cave Nos. 30 to 34 are Jain caves.
• A harmonious confluence of Hindu, Jain, and Buddhist caves can be clearly seen at this site.
• Buddhist Caves :
• In the Buddhist caves, one can see viharas, chaityagrihas (prayer halls), residential quarters for Buddhist monks, sculptures of Gautama Buddha in various postures and expressions, as well as other Buddhist idols and carvings of Bodhisattvas.
• Cave No. 1 is a carved cave depicting events from the time of Buddha. This cave has eight halls. Buddhist monks used to reside here. Many Buddha statues and structures related to Buddhist literature are found here.
• Cave No. 2 and Cave No. 3 appear to have similar architectural designs.
• Cave No. 4 is a two-storeyed cave where Buddha statues can be seen.
• Cave No. 5 is a Mahayana cave. At this place, Buddhist monks used to receive education in Buddhist teachings. A dining hall for the monks was also located here.
• Cave No. 6 is a vihara. Buddhist monks traveled to propagate Buddhist philosophy, and during such journeys as well as in the monsoon season, viharas served as safe shelters. In this cave, various sculptures of Tara Bodhisattva and Avalokiteshvara can be seen. A statue of the Hindu goddess Saraswati is also found here. Saraswati is considered the goddess of knowledge.
• Cave Nos. 7 and 8 remain incomplete.
• Cave No. 9 appears to be a place of worship. Many windows (gavaksha) can be seen here. This cave houses a statue of Tara Bodhisattva. Sculptures depicting six serpents, an elephant, the fire deity, a sword, and other figures symbolizing the control of senses and the creation of fear are also carved here.
• Cave No. 10 is a chaityagriha. At its center are a stupa and a Buddha statue. Beautifully carved pillars and a semicircular arch can be seen here. A serpent carved in a wooden style is visible on the ceiling. Buddhist monks used this place for prayer and meditation.
• Cave No. 11 contains both Buddhist and Hindu sculptures. This cave is two storeys high.
• Cave No. 12 is a three-storeyed cave, where a meditative Buddha statue can be seen.
• Hindu Caves :
• The Hindu caves feature sculptures of Hindu deities as well as carvings depicting mythological and historical scenes.
• Kailasa Temple :
Among the Ellora Caves, the Kailasa Cave holds the most significant and prominent position. From a single, unbroken rock plateau, the structure was first planned, and then the cave was excavated and carved from the top (shikhara) down to the base. This Kailasa Cave measures approximately 50 meters in length, 33 meters in width, and 29 meters in height.
“First the summit, then the foundation”
— this is the unique construction principle of this cave.
The architectural layout includes a beautifully carved garbhagriha (sanctum), followed by a sabhamandapa (assembly hall), then rows of pillars, and finally an arched entrance gateway.
• While approaching the Kailasa Cave, visitors first encounter a magnificent carved arch. At the entrance stand two door guardians known as Shankhanidhi and Padmanidhi.
• Exquisite carvings extend from the summit down to the lower sections. Nearly 40,000 tons of rock were removed to create these sculptures. Fine artistic details of animals, ornamental patterns, leaves, and flowers can be seen throughout.
• A stairway leads to the upper hall of the cave. Inside, a massive Shiva Linga is enshrined.
• Numerous shrine niches are carved around the temple, featuring sculptures of Shiva–Parvati and other Hindu deities.
• One remarkable relief depicts Ravana attempting to lift Mount Kailasa, while Lord Shiva and Goddess Parvati are seated atop the mountain. This scene is the reason the cave is known as the Kailasa Cave.
• Sculptural representations of Goddess Durga, Lord Ganesha, and multiple forms of Shiva and Parvati richly adorn the site.
• Pillar :
A gigantic pillar carved from a single monolithic stone can be seen here, believed to be about 150 feet high.
• Carvings illustrating episodes from the Mahabharata, Ramayana, and various other mythological events are visible throughout the complex.
• Mahabharata Wall :
Within the temple areas (complex), there is a wall where scenes from the Mahabharata period are intricately carved.
• The sculptural style here closely resembles that of the Virupaksha Temple at Pattadakal in Karnataka and the Kailasa Temple at Kanchipuram.
• According to a popular legend, during the Rashtrakuta period, offerings to the deity were brought here on elephants.
• Jain Caves at Ellora :
• In the Ellora cave complex, Cave Nos. 30 to 34 are Jain caves, comprising five cave temples.
• These caves include small assembly halls, and one can see sculptural forms such as Indra Sabha, Jagannatha Sabha, and Chhota Kailasa.
• The Jain caves are single-storeyed and are internally interconnected.
• Majestic elephant sculptures, finely carved pillars, intricate detailing, and astonishing toranas (arched gateways) highlight the architectural brilliance of the Jain caves.
• Sculptures and idols of the 24th Jain Tirthankara Lord Parshvanatha, along with figures of Indra and Gomateshwara, can be seen here.
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• Historical Information of the Ellora Caves :
• The Kailasa Cave was excavated during the reign of the Rashtrakuta king Krishna I, between 753 CE and 783 CE. His substantial contribution is evident from inscriptions found at the site.
• The Buddhist and Jain caves were also excavated between the 6th and 9th centuries CE.
• A unique feature of Ellora is the harmonious confluence of Hinduism, Jainism, and Buddhism.
• These caves are associated with the Dravidian architectural tradition.
• The Bahmani Sultan Hasan Gangu Bahmani resided at this site for a period of time.
• Foreign travelers such as the Arab traveler Al-Masudi and Firista mentioned the Ellora Caves in their travel accounts.
• Some damage to the caves occurred during the Mughal period.
• In the 19th century, the British government undertook efforts to repair and conserve the caves.
• After 1947, the Ellora Caves came under the control of the Government of Independent India.
• In 1951, the Government of India declared the site a National Protected Monument.
• In 1983, UNESCO included the Ellora Caves in the list of World Heritage Sites.
— This is the complete and detailed historical information of the Ellora Caves.
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